More than 90 percent of human Campylobacter infections are caused by Campylobacter jejuni. Major symptoms include diarrhea that is often bloody, fever and abdominal cramps. Most recover within one week. BUT not all recover that fast. Thanks to the CDC Campylobacter surveillance network, the drug-resistant strains of C. jejuni were reported and investigated. Surveillance data indicate the extensively drug-resistant C. jejuni strains have been circulating for at least 10 years and continue to cause illness among pet store customers, employees and others who encounter pet store puppies.
The extensively drug-resistant isolates are resistant to all recommended treatment agents.”
Source: JAMA Network Open, via IBPSA Fast Bites, September 15, 2021. Link. Conclusions:
- Strains of extensively drug-resistant C. jejuni have been circulating since at least 2011 and are associated with illness among pet store customers, employees, and others who come into contact with pet store puppies.
- The results of this study suggest that practitioners should ask about puppy exposure when treating patients with Campylobacter infection, especially when they do not improve with routine antibiotics, and that
- The commercial dog industry should take action to help prevent the spread of extensively drug-resistant C. jejuni from pet store puppies to people.